My modelling progress has been quite lackluster since scaleforum, but slowly I'm beginning to pick up some momentum again; a number of distractions have got in my way but some recent discussions and research have proven beneficial and hopefully further work on the loco body will see this step nearing completion. One aspect I'd been contemplating (although not mandatory) was that of some highland line headlights. In reality these were, I understand, robbed from Morris Minors; I'd been pointed towards cararama products, especially on 1:43rd for 7mm models, but I was having trouble locating anything British Leyland like for 4mm scale... until I re-read an old RMWeb thread (the old forum) suggesting VW Beetle headlights. A browse of e-bay etc found these as seperate (or releasable) items with cars at about the £3 to £4 mark each
- not giving up, I found a set of 6 beetles which I managed to bid for a very good price
Some measurements were made on several prototype photos and scaled against the model; photos suggested that the lights' positioning should be vertically between the upper clip for the lower discs and the rear marker lights; horizontally, they should be about 7mm entered on the nose centreline... which I marked on the body and applied some pilot holes.
LRs-IMG_1100-1.jpg
LRs-IMG_1789-1.jpg
The holes were drilled out with progressively larger drills - to the max of 2mm, and then opened out further with files - eventually to just over 3mm diameter - to give a loose fit for the lamp surrounds - these would become tight once the loco was painted but could be eased a little (with some gentle fettling) to give a snug fit later.
The following photos show the lamps pushed in - with some blue tack in behind the holes to allow them to sit properly on this test-fit
LRs-IMG_1089-1.jpg
- and then with the lamps removed and sat ahead of the loco body, with the donor VW alongside.
LRs-IMG_1098-1.jpg
I need to do the other end, but I'll follow exactly the same process, and maybe rob a green Beetle this time
Hopefully, within a week or so, I might have some new cab roof vents to trial fit - to address the fact that Heljan put them too far inboard
leaving just one other thing to do on this project's body... then I'll hope that'll be it.
Then there's the underframe tanks - that'll keep be busy into 2016
Thanks for reading ....
Jon
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